Looking back at the Dallas Cowboys’ last five draft classes: 2008 has to be graded as a bust now with likely departures of free agents RB Felix Jones, CB Mike Jenkins

The NFL draft is right around the corner April 25-27 and before we dive more into the Dallas Cowboys’ needs and what direction they might go with their six selections, we’re going to take a step back and review.

So, how did the Cowboys get here? How hasAmerica’s Team remained stuck in mediocrity the last decade? Some of the blame can be traced to how the team has drafted players, especially from 2006 to 2009. We’ll begin today by taking a look back at each of the Cowboys’ last five draft classes, reviewing the overall impact of each class and if each pick that year was a bust (D or below, if you prefer grades), fair (B-C) or good (A).

In 2008, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was very active with draft-day trades. In total, he traded picks eight times during the draft and settled on drafting six players. Only one – cornerback Orlando Scandrick – will likely be on the Cowboys’ roster come September.

Here’s a look at each of the Cowboys’ eight players selected in the 2008 draft:

First round: RB Felix Jones from Arkansas

How he fared: Jones has never developed into a featured running back and though he’s had his moments he’s never been consistent enough. In five seasons with the Cowboys, he’s averaged 545.6 yards rushing. That’s not what you’d expect from a first-round running back. Jones was given the chance to be the Cowboys’ featured running back to start 2011 for the first time in his career and failed to establish himself, allowing then-rookie DeMarco Murray to take his starting job while he was out with an injury. Jones is now an unrestricted free agent and won’t likely be re-signed by the Cowboys.

How he rates: Bust. Jones could rate a “fair” if only he would have been taken in a later round, but to draft him so high the Cowboys needed more impact from him.

First round: CB Mike Jenkins from South Florida

How he fared: Jenkins developed into one of the Cowboys’ starting cornerbacks but lost his starting job last off-season after the Cowboys signed cornerback Brandon Carr in free agency and traded up to select cornerback Morris Claiborne sixth overall. In 2011, Jenkins played through some injuries and ended up missing four games. Jenkins only appeared in spot duty last season after losing his starting job and the unrestricted free agent won’t likely re-sign with the Cowboys. In fact, he already has a contract offer from Jacksonville and will be making a free agent visit to Oakland.

How he rates: Bust. It’s hard to give Jenkins a “fair” rating the way his tenure with the Cowboys has likely ended. He hasn’t been consistent enough and hasn’t produced enough impact plays.

Second round: TE Martellus Bennett from Texas A&M

How he fared: Bennett caught four touchdown passes during his rookie season but faded quickly with the Cowboys. The Cowboys raved about Bennett’s ability to block – and though that’s important for a tight end – he had the skill set to be more than a good blocker. However, Bennett never developed into a consistent receiving threat with the Cowboys and dropped too many passes when he was given a chance. Bennett spent last season playing for the Giants and flashing some of that athleticism the Cowboys couldn’t capitalize on. After one year inNew York, Bennett signed this off-season with the Chicago Bears.

How he rates: Bust. This one is easy considering how highly Bennett was drafted and the little impact he made with the Cowboys.

Fourth round: RB Tashard Choice from Georgia Tech

How he fared: Choice started only four games for the Cowboys during his four seasons. After rushing for 472 yards his rookie season, Choice’s numbers declined each year. The Cowboys cut an injured Choice in late October 2011 after the emergence of rookies DeMarco Murray and Phillip Tanner. Choice spent last season with Buffalo and the Bills announced Tuesday they had signed Choice to a contract extension.

How he rates: Bust. Choice never was consistent enough and made little impact for the Cowboys.

Fifth round: CB Orlando Scandrick from Boise State

How he fared: The Cowboys believe Scandrick has developed into one of the NFL’s top slot cornerbacks. They’re so convinced of Scandrick’s future that they gave him a five-year, $27 million contract extension in August 2011. The Cowboys didn’t see enough from Scandrick at outside cornerback when he was given a chance to play there in 2011 because of Cowboys’ injuries to move him outside in 2012. The Cowboys would like to see more impact plays from Scandrick, who has only three interceptions in his career.

How he rates: Good. He’s given the Cowboys great value for a fifth-round selection.

Sixth round: LB Erik Walden from Middle Tennessee State

How he fared: The Cowboys made Walden one of their final cuts at the end of training camp in 2008 and hoped to add him to the practice squad. However, Kansas City claimed him off of waivers. He eventually wound up in Miami and played 19 games for the Dolphins from 2008-10. The Packers signed him in late October of last season.

How he rates: Bust. He never played a down for the Cowboys.

Overall: Bust. With only one player from this draft class likely on the roster come September, it’s hard to give any other grade than a bust. First-round picks Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins never developed into the players the Cowboys thought they would be when they selected them. The only good value the Cowboys received out of this draft was Scandrick.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Wednesday: We look at the Cowboys’ 2009 draft

Thursday: We look at the Cowboys’ 2010 draft

Friday: We look at the Cowboys’ 2011 draft

Saturday: We look at the Cowboys’ 2012 draft

Follow Brandon George on Twitter at @dmn_george.

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